The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Knows is Possible

For many years now I have named each year, giving it intent and focus.  

This year it took me awhile to realize what it was about for me.  

This year is about living in the beautiful world my heart knows is possible.  

You might recognize the title of the brilliant book by Charles Eisenstein.  

I read it last year and then started a book club to share the ideas in it this year because they are so important. 

As always for me, the process begins with the removal of the barriers to the idea I am trying to reach.  This process can be frustrating and painful and I always get there and it is always worth it. 

There is much in this beautiful world that does not feel beautiful to me.  

Part of my makeup is an intense sensitivity to injustice, a proclivity to protect, a deep grief for the innocent, the wounded, the suffering.  

If I am not careful I can find myself overwhelmed and swallowed up by all the policies I am against even as I work on being for the world as I want it to be.

Living in the beautiful world my heart knows is possible is not only the focus I wish to cultivate, it is also a call to action, to being aware of my thoughts and how they move me toward or away from that beautiful world.  

It means being impeccable with my word.  

Words are powerful and it is a powerful habit to use them to keep the old story alive, the story of blame, of separation, of fear and injustice, and doom.  

It takes courage and discomfort and really hard work to tell a better story, one of kindness, connection, love, values, oneness, and miracles. 

It is a call to notice, to be present to the true heart and beauty of the now as well as to be willing to imagine, create and be at the forefront of the beautiful world our hearts know is possible. 

Some of us where ridiculed or shamed, or told we were naïve to have thoughts of a changed or better world, one in which connection, all people, children, animals, the earth are what’s valued and so we became silent or infuriated or one of the majority, tellers of the story of separation. 

But our hearts know. 

We yearn for inclusion, connection, beauty, realness. 

Some of us weep for the tragedies of life, of our lives, of the lives of those we love. 

Others of us mourn for the years that have gone by and the differences we hoped to make and the great joys and loves we missed out on.

And yet, here we are.  

As long as we draw breath, we can live in a beautiful world, the one we imagined, hoped for, get glimpses of when we are in right mind; the one we see when we take the time to look. 

That beautiful world exists now. 

It is a mindset, an intention, a willingness to focus on what our hearts and souls yearn for…connection, oneness, generosity, kindness, beauty, diversity, love. 

It is a refusal to settle for the old story of us and them, of hierarchy, of devaluing, of not enough, of less than, of scarcity, of hate and blame.

When an intention is set and a focus put into place the mind will constantly be seeking what matches and what doesn’t, giving us ample opportunities for practice, to choose to think, speak, act, live in and create that beautiful world our hearts knows is possible or settle for the status quo.  What world do you want to cultivate?

If you are near Mundelein join me for:

A Different kind of Vision board Playshop

The Beautiful World Our Hearts Knows is Possible

The Mandala Playshop

The Nourish your body Series

Nourish Your Body with Avocados

To Beet or not to Beet

Today I am blogging about beets.  

I decided when I was a kid that I did not like beets.  

I think I tried a squishy canned beet at a salad bar and that was that.  

Beets where banished! I still don’t like them that way. Luckily I don’t think my parents liked them either because I don’t recall them ever being served at home. As a matter of fact, I don’t think I even tried that beet until I was in my teens. 

Why does it matter?

It matters because I thrive when eating plants…fruits and vegetables. 

Therefore, not liking most vegetables does not work for me.  

Choosing a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle without eating vegetables leads to malnourishment. Been there. Done that! Choosing any lifestyle without vegetables leads to malnourishment!  I have found that the reason I basically did not like most vegetables was that I had no idea how to prepare them! I now like pretty much all vegetables thanks to learning how to prepare them.

Beets, in particular, are surprisingly delicious when highlighted with fresh lemon.

I have some beet most days because I add a little to my green drink. 

I don’t actually taste it in my green drink.  I add it for the benefits.  

Beets are great for the detoxification of organs, especially the liver, digestive system, and kidneys.  I feel detoxification to be tremendously important, as eliminating toxins is paramount to health.  A body that cannot eliminate toxins becomes unhealthy. 

Beets are also good for your heart, lowering artery-damaging inflammation and helping blood flow throughout your body. Beet greens are a good source of lutein which helps protect the health of your eyes and nerve tissues. I add the greens to my green drink as well. Beets also are a great source of fiber. There’s more, but that’s enough for me!

This time of year I like roasted beets finished with lemon to bring out the sweetness.  In the Summer I make a shredded beet salad with or without carrots and or apple and finished with fresh lemon.  Shredded beets sautéed and finished with lemon are excellent too.  I prefer red beets.  I find the white beets to be more earthy in their flavor.  I hope you will try some beets and enjoy them as well as the benefits to your health.

If you are in the neighborhood I am offering a beet demo and tasting on Saturday, April 28th. Click the link below for details.

Nourish Your Body with Beets